Chat with Wolverines beat writer Mark Snyder

Mark will be here at 9 a.m. Friday to answer your questions about the Michigan football and basketball teams. Feel free to submit yours now.

by James Jahnke3/30/2017 3:55:39 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

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I'm here, let's roll.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:00:19 PM

Basketball question: So with Mark Donnal leaving, does that open up the door for Michigan to pursue a grad transfer of their own? They could really use a point guard to start or at least push X Simpson. I know Eli Brooks is coming in, but with 4 vets (Wagner, Wilson, Robinson, and Rahkman) making up the 2-5 spots a veteran PG could help Michigan start next season where they left off this season.

by Matt3/31/2017 1:00:23 PM

That's an intriguing option and one that I'm sure has crossed their minds. The issue currently is space. U-M always knew Donnal was leaving (mostly because he wasn't invited back for a fifth year), so this scholarship has long been on their minds. But five-star big man Mo Bamba still has the Wolverines in his final four and they'll hold that spot for him.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:02:03 PM

But if he chooses another school or another scholarship opens, i can see them pursuing a grad transfer, either at the point or, if there's no one suitable, on the wing. But your point about this team being ready to compete with someone to run it is valid. Adding competition for Simpson makes sense.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:03:25 PM

We need mo buckets and dj to stay! We will be unstoppable?

by Stan3/31/2017 1:03:47 PM

I don't know about unstoppable, but clearly Michigan enters next season in a stronger position than many expected six months ago. Wilson and Wagner both made huge leaps this season. But having a high-level point guard like Walton made a huge difference.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:05:11 PM

What you about ja'raymond hall

by Midhall23/31/2017 1:05:38 PM

When we spoke to Ben Bredeson the other day, he was very impressed with JaRaymond Hall's feet and said he and the other early enrollee lineman, Cesar Ruiz, have picked up things quickly.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:06:39 PM

I keep waiting to hear what is the status for Drake Johnson getting a sixth year. What do you know? Has he been practicing with the team?

by MCrazed3/31/2017 1:07:02 PM

Michigan hasn't announced Johnson's status yet but two months ago, on Signing Day, Harbaugh sounded optimistic. There are enough obstacles in his past to warrant it, but the process is not transparent so it's difficult to get a feel for which way it will go. I assume we'll hear once it's decided. But even if he's granted the year, Johnson will be one of many running backs and isn't likely to be the starter.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:09:19 PM

What are the chances M can get Faalele out of IMG/Australia? This would open the Polynesian/Australian potential, and, well 6' 9" and 396# and just touching the beginning of his potential.

by Blue Ray3/31/2017 1:10:02 PM

Michigan has made a push with players with Polynesian backgrounds the past few years and those players have tried to sell each other on the experience. As for getting Daniel Faalele, U-M is reported to have shown interest and made that satellite camp in Australia last year, hoping to establish a relationship. Landing a player like that is another story but it seems like there's interest.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:12:41 PM

Interested in what a dominant season from Gary would look like. Is it a potential double digit sack guy or will statistics never tell the whole story with him?

by B3/31/2017 1:12:47 PM

If they keep him outside, there could be big numbers. Look at Wormley, who had six at that spot last year and Charlton had 9.5 on the other side. The challenge will be whether he's consistently double teamed. Gary has shown he can breaks those also, but that opens the path for someone else. Balance on the line should get him more favorable matchups. But he certainly has that potential for double-digit sacks, especially with his snap count increasing this year.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:15:25 PM

Who do see handling kick and punt return duties?

by B3/31/2017 1:15:29 PM

We may learn more about that when we talk to Chris Partridge, but I'd put Chris Evans, Eddie McDoom, Kekoa Crawford all as possibilities. Evans' shiftiness in the open field and McDoom's instant speed make them strong PR candidates while Kareem Walker could be a kickoff return guy.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:17:20 PM

Mark, Any release on times for practices and schedule and time of scrimmage in Rome. Live near Rome but cannot find any definite times or whether there is actually going to be a scrimmage. If anyone knows of a link, please pass on here. In return, I let you know the best place to eat in Rome (and not expensive!). It's called Antico forno Roscioli (anticofornoroscioli.it). Few streets from Campo di Fiori and great for fast breakfast or lunch. Lots of locals and some tourists. GO BLUE. See you in Roma.

by Jim from Casoli3/31/2017 1:17:23 PM

You'll have to wait to hear that from U-M. I do know most of the football related stuff will be at the end of the trip.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:17:50 PM

Will livers or Poole get more playing time next year??

by Izzo whines a lot 3/31/2017 1:18:27 PM

Unless Ibi Watson makes some great strides, Michigan will be looking for someone to back up Charles Matthews at the small forward/wing spot, so Livers has a chance there, if he can show he's quick/athletic enough on defense to guard that position. As for Jordan Poole, if he can shoot and handle the ball, he definitely could play. Without a ball dominant point guard, U-M will have to rotate at least one of the freshman guards in with Abdur-Rahkman and Simpson, both to succeed next year and get them experience for the following season.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:21:33 PM

What record do you think Michigan will have this year?Big wins?Surprised defeats?

by Bob3/31/2017 1:22:06 PM

Football, I assume? This season is tough to figure because there are so many new faces. Which means so much hinges on the development curve. If Michigan can beat Florida in the opener, my entire perception changes. That would show an ability to soak in the teaching and could lead to another fast start to the season like last year, potentially 6-0. But games at Penn State, at Wisconsin and home against Ohio State will be tough. I'd assume they'll lose at least two or maybe all three of those. If this team gets to nine wins, that would be a good season being so young.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:25:57 PM

Admit it Mark, you were pulling for Wolverine Basketball, just a little after the plane mishap, weren't you? Also were you on the plane, or already in D.C.? Thanks

by Brucer3/31/2017 1:26:33 PM

I was certainly glad to see everyone was safe. I was flying to D.C. myself at the same time, so I didn't get the reports until I landed. But it was certainly a wild story watching their run through that tournament and into the early NCAAs. I will and have fully admitted I didn't see any of that coming in early February.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:28:24 PM

How is the running back depth chart looking so far in spring practice? Who is getting the majority of reps with the first team?

by Jones3/31/2017 1:29:05 PM

They haven't shared the rep distribution, but as we saw last year, they're going to rotate those backs through the year, trying to keep them fresh. With Ty Isaac and Kareem Walker being more physical and Chris Evans and Karan Higdon being more of the shifty and explosive backs, they'll probably rotate.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:30:40 PM

Also, with a new running backs coach in Jay Harbaugh, he may have different thoughts than Tyrone Wheatley did about who deserves more.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:31:31 PM

If there are any other questions, please shoot them my way now.

by Mark Snyder3/31/2017 1:33:46 PM

Ok. Thanks for the questions today. Spring football practice will continue with more players and coaches' insight coming over the weekend. Also, the WNIT final is tomorrow at Calihan Hall against Georgia Tech. We'll chat again next week.